CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia Democratic Party strongly condemns Governor Patrick Morrisey’s veto of critical state funding on Good Friday, which targets vulnerable populations such as children, veterans, foster care, and other vital education and community services.
Governor Morrisey vetoed 29 line items, including $800,000 from Court Appointed Special Advocates (Foster Care Services), $187,000 from the state Veterans Nursing Home, $200,000 for Safe Schools initiatives, $3 million for the Ronald McDonald House in Morgantown, and $1.4 million for computer science education programs.
Delegate Anitra Hamilton (D-Monongalia) expressed her deep disappointment with the timing and cruelty of these cuts, saying, “On a day meant to reflect compassion and kindness, Governor Morrisey instead chose to cut support from those who need it the most: children in foster care, families facing serious illnesses, veterans who have honorably served our country, and students who deserve safe and modern learning environments. This is not only unkind; it demonstrates profoundly misplaced priorities.”
West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin criticized the governor’s financial decisions, highlighting the missed opportunity to protect essential services. “Governor Morrisey could have avoided these drastic cuts by eliminating some of the $22 million in HOPE Scholarship funds spent on out-of-state schools and extracurricular activities such as horseback riding, jiujitsu, and travel soccer.”
The Governor’s actions reveal an administration more focused on ideological goals than the real, everyday needs of West Virginians.”
The West Virginia Democratic Party urges Governor Morrisey to reconsider these harmful decisions and redirect state resources to assist vulnerable citizens and critical community programs.
